Press Release: May 21, 2005
FIRE and Central Presbyterian Church Partner to Meet Literacy Needs in St. Paul
ST. PAUL, Minn., <May 21, 2005> – Central Presbyterian Church in downtown St. Paul has formed a partnership with the Foundation for Immigrant Resources and Education (FIRE), a community-based organization that offers English, GED and other literacy support services for refugee, immigrant, and native-born American adults in an effort to reduce waiting lists for adult literacy programs caused by increased immigration and cuts in government funding.
"We are thrilled to offer a home to FIRE," says the Rev. David Colby, head pastor at Central Presbyterian. "Churches often struggle to find ways to reach out to new immigrant groups. The partnership with FIRE gives us a chance to join forces with an organization that is already doing important work."
FIRE began as a response to the urgent needs of immigrants and refugees by a skilled group of Adult Basic Education volunteers. "These new families are in dire need of education and information about their new community," said Heather Cox, one of FIRE's seven co-founders.
**With years of collective experience in adult basic education, FIRE volunteers saw the importance of lending their skills at a time when waiting lists for adult literacy programs around the Twin Cities continue to grow rapidly.
**About 5,000 Hmong have already repatriated to the Twin Cities from the Wat Tam Krabok camp in Thailand. Conservative estimates show 4,000 additional Hmong are expected to arrive by the end of the summer, even more by the end of the year. St. Paul faces the formidable challenge of meeting the needs of its newest arrivals without knowing how many to anticipate from secondary immigration activity. "We couldn't just sit by passively when we had the skills, passion, and professional experience to assist our colleagues and the literacy cause," Cox said.
FIRE held classes at Como Place Apartments, a low-income housing complex at the corner of Edmund Avenue and Marion Street in St. Paul for its first nine months. When FIRE founders learned in February that their space was no longer available, they were concerned. "It was a new opportunity for us to grow, but with no funding at this stage in our development, it was a challenge to find free space," Cox says. She says one of the learners from Uganda reassured her saying, "God will provide."
The learners at FIRE come from 13 countries and include Muslims, Buddhists, Hmong animists, Catholics, Protestants, and people seeking their own spiritual path. Churches came to mind as possible partners, but the volunteers and learners at FIRE needed to be sure that people of all faiths would be welcomed and treated with respect. Central Presbyterian turned out to be a perfect fit.
"It has long been said that Sunday morning at 11 a.m. is the most segregated time in America," says Rev. Colby. ["]We believe that a downtown church must welcome diversity; and must take the lead in bringing people together. In our increasingly diverse city, religious institutions must help welcome respectful dialogue and learning between people of all faiths and work together on issues we agree on, like supporting education, helping people find and keep meaningful jobs, and strengthening families. FIRE makes a tangible difference in people's lives."
FIRE moved into upstairs classrooms at Central Presbyterian in the beginning of May. When the learners saw their new space, Cox said, they had smiles on their faces and some had tears in their eyes. "It';s such a safe, peaceful place. For learners with histories of trauma and displacement, a welcoming learning environment is the first step."
An associate program of the Minnesota Literacy Council, FIRE will continue to be an independent organization with its own board consisting of volunteers and adult learners. "We are honored that Central Presbyterian has embraced us as an extension of their mission in the community. That’s what partnership is all about," said Cox. An event to celebrate the partnership is planned for this summer.
Morning and evening classes are being offered in English as a Second Language (ESL), GED preparation, computer literacy skills, and basic reading. Daycare is offered on a limited basis during these classes. For a schedule of classes, options to volunteer, and a list of donations to FIRE, please call the church at 651-224-4728 ext. 111. Multilingual information is also available.
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